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The debut of expressive, large-scale abstract paintings by Toledo artist Aaron S. Bivins
Well known in Northwest Ohio for both his Impressionistic landscapes in oil and his two popular series of
evocative watercolors depicting Jazz legends and the historical African American Great Migration, Bivins’
most recent series explores a startling new direction—eighteen acrylic on canvas paintings created for
his first solo exhibit of abstract work.
Entirely non-representational, the paintings nevertheless bear unmistakable hallmarks of this Toledo
Masters’ signature style: exuberant color, bold brush work, rhythmic compositions and an adroit synthesis
of historical techniques. All these combine to imbue a fresh and energizing voice to a contemporary body
of work that simultaneously invokes the tradition of Abstract Expressionism. By stepping out of the
landscape, Aaron S. Bivins embarks from the vistas for which he is best known, turning a new corner in
his career.
18 N. St. Clair Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604 419-241-2400
20northgallery.com — [email protected]
Around the Corner:Aaron Bivins AbstractApril 10 – June 27, 2020
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Preliminary pencil sketches for Around the Corner
paintings – Photo courtesy of the artist
Index Forward 2 Artist Information 3 - 4 Exhibited Artwork 5 - 10
Forward In his artist statement for this exhibit, Aaron Bivins describes his new venture into abstraction as an
initially daunting departure from his artistic comfort zone, but a necessary one to expand his growth as a
painter. The result marks a bold new direction for the artist.
The paintings are audacious in scale and execution, unlike any work he has exhibited before, yet
instantly recognizable as his own. Careful inspection reveals the syncopated influence of jazz, so often
depicted by Bivins in his watercolor portraits of legendary musicians, as well as references to his
watercolor techniques in planning and execution, along with bold gestural strokes and thin washes of
color. Also familiar is the thick, impasto application of paint, a trademark of his Impressionistic
landscapes and the vibrant palette he employs. Unique to this series, though, is the fusion of spontaneity
and introspection, as demonstrated in the notes he provides for each canvas, assigning varied
personalities to his colors and artistic choices, which informed the titles that were selected by members of
his family. The effect is engaging and uplifting, yet indicative of the meticulous consideration he exerts to
create strong and energizing compositions, all of which welcome viewer interpretation.
In late 2018, 20 North Gallery approached Bivins for a solo show, specifying a preference for what were
then a few small experimental abstract sketches he
shared during a studio visit. From that initial
conversation, Aaron Bivins has created a whole new
expression to his identity—right down to his chosen
title for the exhibit. Viewers familiar with Aaron Bivins’
work, as well as those new to his paintings, will
delight in this new path he has embarked upon,
rounding the corner in his artistic path.
— Condessa Croninger, Art Director, 20 North Gallery
Around the Corner:Aaron Bivins AbstractApril 10 – June 27, 2020
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Photo courtesy of artist website
Aaron S. Bivins
Toledo, Ohio
Artist Biography
Aaron S. Bivins (Toledo, Ohio) attended The University of
Toledo in Ohio, receiving a B.A. in Art, as well as a Teaching
Certification. He has also studied watercolor landscape painting
with the late prominent Toledo watercolorist, Walter Chapman
and acrylic and oil landscape painting with noted Toledo artist,
Richard Dziak.
Working primarily in acrylic, oil and watercolor, he also explores
other media. Mr. Bivins is a former junior high school art teacher in the Toledo Public School system—he now
serves as a painting demonstrator and conducts watercolor and acrylic workshops and classes, as well as
jurying art shows throughout the region.
Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards, including several Best of Show and First awards, at
shows such as the Crosby Festival of the Arts (receiving a First Award in 2015), Toledo Botanical Gardens;
Art on the Mall, The University of Toledo (First Award in 2012, 2019); the Roots of Diversity Multicultural Art
Show, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo; Arts, Beats & Eats in Pontiac, Michigan; the Findlay Fine Arts
Festival (in Ohio); the Marion Art and Music Festival (in Ohio); the Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival,
Cambridge, Ohio (First Award in 2016); Harrison Rally Day for the Arts Fine Art Show, Perrysburg, Ohio (Best
of Show in 2012) and many others.
Mr. Bivins’ work is represented at many galleries throughout the Northwest Ohio region and his
numerous community and commercial gallery exhibits include two solo exhibitions at Flatlanders Gallery
in Blissfield, Michigan; a 2017 solo exhibit at American Frame in Maumee, Ohio; 20 North Gallery’s 2017
Luminosity and yearly contributions to both the past annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Toledo
Museum of Art and 20 North Gallery’s annual Black History Month exhibits—for which he was the
featured artist in 2010.
In 2015, he was honored with a solo exhibition, Great Migration, at the Main Library Gallery of Toledo Lucas
County Public Library. The exhibit was inspired by the mass movement of African Americans from the rural
South to northern US cities in the early to mid-20th century. The show comprised twenty watercolor portraits
of African American citizens, painted from historical and contemporary photographs, including some of Bivins’
own family, connecting contemporary audiences to the vast historical narrative of the Migration.
Mr. Bivins’ paintings are included in many private collections throughout the country, as well as in the
corporate collection of ProMedica at The Toledo Hospital. Aaron Bivins is an Associate member of the Ohio
Watercolor Society and Past-President of the Northwestern Ohio Watercolor Society. He is also a member of
the Toledo Artists Club.
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Studio photos courtesy of the artist
Artist Statement
Around the Corner: Aaron Bivins Abstract
My painting style is usually Impressionism.
However, when I started this leap across the line
of comfort into the world of Abstracts, I must admit
it was rather daunting. But I reminded myself that,
in order to expand my knowledge, ability and
growth as an artist, I must take chances and risks
and do things that aren't easy and familiar. I am
constantly pushing and evolving in an effort to
show others another side of my artistic talent.
Hopefully, this will cause the viewers to pause and take in the beauty, color, energy, spontaneity of this
new work, along with my familiar touch and personality. So take a walk with me "Around the
Corner”…into Abstract.
To learn more of Aaron S. Bivins’ artistic career and a full exhibition history, visit his website at aaronsbivins.com
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Artwork All work available for purchase. Artwork photography by 20 North Gallery, unless otherwise noted.
Idiom $5,000 Acrylic on canvas; 60"H x 48"W; 2020 In this painting I drew on my years of doing watercolors, with multiple thin Dominant Blue washes then thick textured spice colors.
Perpetual Elevation $2,500 Acrylic on canvas; 40"H x 30"W; 2020
This is a larger painting from a smaller sketch. The larger piece is filled with sweeping movement that circles around itself.
Smooth Mood / Study for Perpetual Elevation $350
Acrylic on canvas; 10"H x 8"W; 2018
This is one of three smaller studies for the paintings in this exhibit. All three were very quick sketches done with a quick thought and a swift hand!
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This was a Happy Physical struggle between the Dominant Pink focal Green. Charisma $4,200 Acrylic on canvas; 48"H x 48"W; 2020
Dominant Green with short purple focal strokes combined with dry purple strokes. Shenandoah $4,200 Acrylic on canvas; 48"H x 48"W; 2020
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Irreversible Thoughts I $2,500 Acrylic on canvas; 40"H x 30"W; 2020
Irreversible Thoughts II $2,500 Acrylic on canvas; 40"H x 30"W; 2020
These 3 Monochromatic Grey Triptych paintings are a Jazzy burst of smooth energy in the first painting that starts to build in the second painting and gives you a big punch in the third.
Irreversible Thoughts III $2,500 Acrylic on canvas; 40"H x 30"W; 2020
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The dominant grey color struggles to hold the spice energy colors in the lower right corner and manages to wiggle out for a calm exit. Emotional Tranquility $2,500 Acrylic on canvas; 30"H x 40"W; 2020
The idea here was the emergence of color from the Dominant Black absence of color. Shattered $2,500 Acrylic on canvas; 30"H x 40"W; 2020
Extra Alienation $2,500 Acrylic on canvas; 30"H x 40"W; 2020
On the left is a Larger painting from a smaller sketch (below) of Organic Motion with a Dominant Background and splashes green and yellow.
Study for Extra Alienation $500 Acrylic on canvas; 12"H x 16"W; 2020
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Diptera $4,200 Acrylic on canvas; 48"H x 48"W; 2020
Many different explosive bits of focal point colors sweeping through the Orange dominant, with thick and thin Blue spice colors.
Smurfin $2,500 Acrylic on canvas; 40"H x 30"W; 2020
The Dominant Transparent Blue looks like Smurfs with hard Complimentary Orange strokes.
The Deep Purple Dominant color was used to cool the mind. Vertical and Horizontals throughout takes you on a rhythmic ride The yellow and red focal and spice colors compliment and tie it together.
Melancholy $4,200 Acrylic on canvas; 48"H x 48"W; 2020
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Study for Archaea $350 Acrylic on canvas; 10"H x 8"W; 2018 To the left is a Larger painting from a smaller sketch (above). The Dominant Green with dabs of yellow and red spice color.
Archaea $2,500 Acrylic on canvas; 40"H x 30"W; 2020
This was quick rhythmic dance of spice color dancing with the Black peeking thru.
Dancing With Darkness $2,500 Acrylic on canvas; 40"H x 30"W; 2020
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Around the Corner: Aaron Bivins Abstract
Catalogue editor, Anastasia Wagner
Gallery Coordinator, 20 North Gallery
Copy editor, Condessa Croninger
Art Director, 20 North Gallery
© 2020, 20 North Gallery. All rights reserved.
For purchase inquiries, please contact 20 North Gallery.
18 N. St. Clair Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604 419-241-2400
20northgallery.com — [email protected]
